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Best VPNs
Every company here was researched from its own pricing pages and terms. No paid rankings.
We check it out so you don’t have to.
How we researched this page: we read each company’s own pricing pages and terms, independent tests, and customer reviews. We did not use these products ourselves. Prices change often, so each one shows the date we checked it.
The short version
For most people, NordVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN. For the simplest app that just works, ExpressVPN. For lots of devices on a budget, Surfshark or Private Internet Access. If you’re on a very tight budget and can prepay for years, FastestVPN or PureVPN. Always look at the renewal price, not just the first-term deal.
Quick comparison
| Company | Best for | Starting price | Trial / refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Speed plus extra security tools | 2-year intro deal; see the official site | 30-day money-back |
| Surfshark | Unlimited devices at low cost | 2-year intro deal; see the official site | 30-day money-back |
| Proton VPN | Privacy, strong free plan | Free plan; see the official site for paid prices | 30-day money-back |
| ExpressVPN | Simple apps, wide device support | $83.72 for the first 28 months (Basic), checked October 25, 2026 | 30-day money-back |
| Private Internet Access | Budget, many devices | $79 for 3 years + 3 months, checked October 25, 2026 | 30-day money-back |
| CyberGhost | Beginner-friendly, long refund window | $56.94 for 2 years + 2 months, checked October 25, 2026 | 45-day money-back (14 days on monthly) |
| IPVanish | Many devices, simple apps | $52.56 for the first 2 years, checked October 25, 2026 | 30-day money-back |
| PureVPN | Long prepaid plans | $101.55 for 5 years (Standard), checked October 25, 2026 | 31-day money-back |
| FastestVPN | Lowest long-term price | $5/mo monthly; sale price on long plans, checked October 23, 2026 | 31-day money-back |
NordVPN
Who it fits: People who want a fast, well-known VPN with extras like threat protection and a password manager bundle.
What it costs Check the official page for current prices. Intro prices are for the first term only. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Renewal is much higher than the first-term price. Extra tools are upsold hard.
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Compare: Read our full NordVPN review · NordVPN vs Surfshark · NordVPN vs ExpressVPN · Proton VPN vs NordVPN
Surfshark
Who it fits: Households with many devices, since one plan covers unlimited devices.
What it costs Check the official page for current prices. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Like most here, the big discount only applies to the first term.
Visit Surfshark’s official site
Compare: Read our full Surfshark review · NordVPN vs Surfshark
Proton VPN
Who it fits: Privacy-minded people, and anyone who wants a genuinely usable free plan.
What it costs Free plan. Check the official page for current paid prices. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Paid plans cost more per month than Surfshark or PIA. The free plan limits server choice.
Visit Proton VPN’s official site
Compare: Proton VPN vs NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Who it fits: People who want the simplest apps and support for routers and many device types.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): $83.72, $125.72 and $209.72 for the first 28 months by plan, renewing at $99.95, $119.95 and $199.95 a year. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: One of the pricier VPNs after the first term.
Visit ExpressVPN’s official site
Compare: Read our full ExpressVPN review · NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
Private Internet Access
Who it fits: Budget users who want unlimited devices and lots of settings to tweak.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): $11.95 monthly. $47.88 for 1 year. $79 for 3 years plus 3 free months (about $2.03 a month). 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: The apps show more settings than a beginner needs.
Visit Private Internet Access’s official site
Compare: Read our full Private Internet Access review
CyberGhost
Who it fits: Beginners who want simple apps and the longest refund window here.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): $56.94 for 2 years plus 2 months (about $2.19 a month). $12.99 monthly. 45-day money-back on long plans, 14 days on monthly.
Honest downsides: The low price requires a long prepay. Same parent company as PIA and ExpressVPN, which some readers want to know.
Visit CyberGhost’s official site
Compare: Read our full CyberGhost review
IPVanish
Who it fits: People who want unlimited devices and simple apps at a low 2-year price.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): $2.19, $2.79 and $3.29 a month on 2-year plans ($52.56, $66.96 and $78.96 for the first 2 years). 30-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Renewal prices are higher. Fewer extras than NordVPN or Surfshark.
Visit IPVanish’s official site
Compare: Read our full IPVanish review
PureVPN
Who it fits: People happy to prepay several years for a very low monthly cost.
What it costs (checked October 25, 2026): monthly from $12.95. 1 year from $40.80 (October 23, 2026). 5 years from $101.55 (Standard). 31-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Best value only on very long prepaid plans. Many add-ons at checkout.
FastestVPN
Who it fits: The most price-sensitive buyers.
What it costs (checked October 23, 2026): $5/mo monthly, with sale pricing on long plans. 31-day money-back guarantee.
Honest downsides: Smaller server network and fewer independent tests than the big names.
Visit FastestVPN’s official site
Also worth knowing
- Mullvad is a respected privacy-first VPN at a flat €5 a month, with no account email needed.
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